[csaa-forum] PhD position - Charles University in Prague - Environmental Constructions

[nico CARPENTIER]

Reminder: Deadline for applications is the 10th of February 2020.
((with apologies for cross-posting))

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Ph.D. Researcher - MISTRA Environmental Communication Research Programme
at the Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism
Charles University in Prague
(https://fsv.cuni.cz/en/phd-researcher-mistra-environmental-communication-research-programme)

Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University is looking to 
hire a PhD Researcher, supervised by Nico Carpentier, as part of the 
MISTRA Environmental Communication Research Programme for the Institute 
of Communication Studies and Journalism.

The MISTRA Environmental Communication (MEC) Research Programme is a 
four-year research project, based in Sweden and implemented by an 
international consortium, which includes the Institute of Communication 
Studies and Journalism at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles 
University. A brief overview can be found here 
http://nicocarpentier.net/mistra/.

This specific position consists out of PhD research that implements the 
fifth work package of MEC, which is entitled “Environmental 
communication in (social) media and the arts: Opening spaces for 
transformative discursive encounters”. The main research objective of 
work package five is to study the discursive struggle between the 
different environmental and sustainability discourses that circulate in 
Swedish arts and media, and to develop discursive strategies to open up 
existing discursive patterns and constellations for a constructive 
engagement with new or marginalised perspectives.

Each candidate must:

The excellent command of both English AND Swedish (written and spoken) 
is a key requirement for this position.

The work location is Prague, in the Czech Republic.

We are seeking candidates with a genuine interest in, and knowledge of 
environmental communication, social constructionist theory, 
participatory research and discursive-material analysis. Candidates 
should have a good general overview of social theory in the social 
sciences and humanities, and master the main methodologies used in these 
disciplines. A collaborative and inquisitive mindset are equally important.

Moreover, candidates need to possess a Master’s degree. Candidates with 
any suited disciplinary and interdisciplinary background are welcome to 
apply. Candidates with high grades for their prior degrees will be given 
priority.

Duties:

The holder of the position shall primarily devote her/himself to this 
project and the implementation of the tasks outlined below, in 
combination with the requirements of the PhD programme (as outlined in 
the documents mentioned below).

The main task of the PhD researcher is to focus on one of the three 
areas of study of work package 5, namely mass media, with attention for 
two genres, namely documentaries and television programmes that focus on 
environmental problems and that have been recently produced in Sweden. 
The research question of the PhD researcher’s project concerns 1/the 
identification of the discursive struggles within a selection of mass 
media case studies, and 2/the development of strategies to open up the 
discursive positions for more constructive engagements.

The PhD researcher’s project will start with a mapping of all recent 
relevant output, in the three areas (mass media, social media and arts), 
and will then focus on the mass media area, selecting and analysing six 
cases studies, using discourse-material analysis to analyse the selected 
media material and the media producer interviews. In the last stage, the 
development of discursive strategies will be structured in two ways, 
through the development of training packages, and through the 
organisation of an exhibition. Moreover, the research project will be 
strengthened through participatory research methods, to be applied 
throughout the entire research project, wherever possible.

Active participation in the Institutes’ PhD activities, such as 
seminars, workshops, etc., is expected. Other tasks within the 
Institute, including administrative work, can also be part of the 
employment. The PhD researcher is also expected to actively contribute 
to the (written) academic publications of the MEC work package 5 team.

We offer:

The position is a full-time position, with a total duration of 44 
months, starting on/around 1 March 2020, but the position’s continuation 
will be subject to a yearly evaluation.

The gross monthly salary will be 24.000 CZK, complemented by a PhD 
stipend of 11.000 CZK.

The application includes:

(1) a letter in which the applicant describes her/his research interests 
and the motivation to apply;
(2) a one-page research note, outlining how the candidate proposes to 
ground the research in social constructionist theory;
(3) a second one-page research note, outlining how the candidate 
proposes to implement the tasks described in this document, including a 
time schedule
(4) a CV, with the copies of the relevant diplomas and certificates that 
prove the candidate’s eligibility for doctoral studies in Media and 
Communication Studies;
(5) minimally two letters of recommendation and the contact information 
to these reference persons;
(6) publications (co-) authored by the applicant (if any);
(7) other documents that the applicant wishes to add.

The application must be submitted via email to kariera at fsv.cuni.cz at 
the Personnel Affairs Department of the Dean’s Office, the Faculty of 
Social Sciences Charles University, Smetanovo nábřeží 6, 110 01 Praha 1, 
Czech Republic. Deadline for applications is the 10th of February 2020. 
The application must be identified as “PhD Researcher - MISTRA”.

We only accept applications that are submitted as described in this 
announcement, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy without any 
person being hired.

Charles University is striving to promote gender equality through gender 
diversity.

Additional information

A list of suggested literature is available at 
http://nicocarpentier.net/mistra/readings.html

A general description of the doctoral program of the Institute of 
Communication Studies and Journalism can be found at:

https://iksz.fsv.cuni.cz/sites/default/files/uploads/files/prirucka_phd_2019.pdf 
(currently in Czech only)

https://karolinka.fsv.cuni.cz/KFSV-1059.html (in Czech)

https://fsv.cuni.cz/en/admissions/phd-programmes (in English)

More information about the Institute of Communication Studies and 
Journalism is available at https://iksz.fsv.cuni.cz/en.

For more information about the content of the position, Nico Carpentier 
can be contacted, by e-mail at nico.carpentier at fsv.cuni.cz. See also 
http://nicocarpentier.net/.

For more information about the financial dimensions of the position, 
Alena Marcova can be contacted, by e-mail at alena.marcova at fsv.cuni.cz.